# Funding Articles associés

Le Centre d'actualités HTX fournit les derniers articles et analyses approfondies sur "Funding", couvrant les tendances du marché, les mises à jour des projets, les développements technologiques et les politiques réglementaires dans l'industrie crypto.

STRC Must Re-Anchor for a BTC Bull Market to Happen

Title: STRC's Depegging Threatens MicroStrategy's Bitcoin-Buying Machine, and Thus the BTC Bull Run Summary: The sustained depegging of MicroStrategy's priority share STRC (trading ~25% below its $100 target) is severely disrupting the company's core business model and poses a major risk to Bitcoin (BTC) price support. STRC was MicroStrategy's most efficient and low-cost funding tool, designed to allow continuous capital raises near its $100 par value to fuel relentless BTC accumulation. Its depegging has effectively blocked this primary funding channel. The situation creates a severe cash flow crisis. STRC and other priority shares now obligate MicroStrategy to pay approximately $1.7 billion in annual cash dividends, while the company's cash reserves are only about $1.4 billion — insufficient to cover one year of payments. To raise cash, MicroStrategy is increasingly resorting to issuing common stock (MSTR) through ATM offerings. However, recent raises show most proceeds (around 90% in one week) are now used to bolster cash reserves rather than buy Bitcoin. This dilutes the key metric of Bitcoin per MSTR share, eroding the fundamental value proposition for equity investors. The company faces grim alternatives: issuing high-cost debt or selling its massive Bitcoin holdings. The latter, though hinted at, would likely trigger significant negative market reactions. Conclusion: As BTC's largest corporate holder and a major marginal buyer, MicroStrategy's funding woes mean reduced, and potentially reversing, institutional buy-side pressure. The company has shifted from being a guaranteed source of BTC demand to a significant overhang on the market. The article argues that without STRC re-anchoring to restore its funding engine, a sustained BTC bull market is in jeopardy.

marsbit06/26 06:22

STRC Must Re-Anchor for a BTC Bull Market to Happen

marsbit06/26 06:22

Anthropic Employees Leave to Start a Business, Valued at $1 Billion, Also Focused on 'Recursive Self-Improvement'

Former Anthropic employees Behnam Neyshabur and Harsh Mehta have founded a startup named Mirendil, securing $200 million in seed funding at a $1 billion valuation from investors including Andreessen Horowitz, Kleiner Perkins, and NVIDIA. The company, staffed by researchers from Anthropic, xAI, Google DeepMind, and OpenAI, aims to accelerate scientific discovery by focusing on "recursive self-improvement" for AI. Their vision, described as "AI for AI for Science," is to build a platform enabling research labs in fields like medicine and materials science to develop and iteratively improve their own specialized AI models, rather than relying on general-purpose models from large tech firms. Neyshabur argues this approach, involving AI that can optimize its own code under human supervision, is the fastest path to AI-accelerated science. The founders believe a market opportunity exists because major AI companies, while increasingly using AI to advance their own research, restrict external developers from using their models to train competing products. Mirendil plans to release its first models soon to gather early user feedback, with the goal of empowering thousands of labs to tackle critical scientific challenges.

marsbit06/26 03:26

Anthropic Employees Leave to Start a Business, Valued at $1 Billion, Also Focused on 'Recursive Self-Improvement'

marsbit06/26 03:26

Post-95s Doctoral Graduate Ventures into World Models, FaceMind Raises Tens of Millions of Yuan

The AI startup FaceMind, led by 95-year-old founder Dr. Lu Hongyuan, has secured tens of millions of yuan in a Pre-A Series funding round led by StarLink Capital, with existing investor 360 Capital significantly over-subscribing. Originally focused on on-device multimodal models, the company has pivoted to developing foundational world models, which aim to predict environmental changes for applications like GUI agents and embodied AI (e.g., robotics). Dr. Lu's team gained recognition for research on low-frequency word processing and the "Adam's Law" principle, work later acknowledged by Anthropic. FaceMind's proprietary system emphasizes parameter-efficient, loop-iterative architecture for long-horizon prediction. An early product, "Diedie Club," serves as a testing ground for GUI understanding. Investors highlight the team's research depth, rapid execution, and Dr. Lu's focus on fundamental model architecture over mere scale. The funding will support continued R&D and multi-scenario validation of their world model technology.

marsbit06/26 01:50

Post-95s Doctoral Graduate Ventures into World Models, FaceMind Raises Tens of Millions of Yuan

marsbit06/26 01:50

Ethereum Staking Tax Debate Erupts Over Validator Redirected Revenue Proposal

A new Ethereum Research proposal titled "Validator Redirected Revenue" has sparked debate over staking economics. It outlines a mechanism allowing validators to redirect part of their staking rewards toward funding ecosystem public goods, such as research and infrastructure, aiming to create a more sustainable funding model beyond donations and grants. Critics have labeled the concept a "staking tax," arguing it could politicize validation and potentially become mandatory, undermining validator incentives and network neutrality. Supporters contend it addresses Ethereum's long-term funding needs and allows validators to coordinate on ecosystem priorities. Importantly, the proposal is in an early research and discussion stage on the Ethereum Research forum. It is not an approved or imminent protocol change. The path to implementation is long and uncertain. However, it signals a significant governance debate that market participants and ETH holders are watching closely due to its potential impact on staking rewards and Ethereum's investment case.

bitcoinist06/24 11:22

Ethereum Staking Tax Debate Erupts Over Validator Redirected Revenue Proposal

bitcoinist06/24 11:22

The Ethereum Foundation Has Split?! An In-depth Look at Ethlabs' "Bright Future"

"Ethereum Foundation Splits? Understanding Ethlabs and Its 'Bright Future'" Former Ethereum Foundation members Ansgar Dietrichs, Barnabé Monnot, Caspar Schwarz-Schilling, Josh Rudolf, and Julian Ma have announced the launch of Ethlabs, an independent non-profit research and development lab. Announced on June 22nd, the initiative comes amidst discussions about the need for new organizational structures within the Ethereum ecosystem, a point highlighted by Bankless founder David Hoffman. Ethlabs' mission is to establish Ethereum as the foundational settlement layer for the global economy. The organization positions itself as a bridge connecting frontline developers, applications, and user needs with the core protocol. It aims to translate real-world demands into protocol improvements, industry standards, and deployable products. The founding team brings significant expertise: Dietrichs and Monnot are highly cited researchers in areas like Proposer-Builder Separation (PBS) and MEV, while Schwarz-Schilling, Rudolf, and Ma contribute backgrounds in economic modeling, consensus research, and applied cryptography. Initial supporters include BitMine, a major corporate ETH treasury; Sharplink, another treasury firm; and Consensys founder Joe Lubin in a personal capacity. Community backers include figures like Uniswap's Hayden Adams and Base's Jesse Pollak. The timing coincides with internal Ethereum Foundation discussions about "spinout" projects. While Ethlabs and the Foundation share research interests like MEV mitigation, Ethlabs frames its role not as a competitor but as part of a shift from a "single-core coordination model" to a "multi-R&D entity collaboration model." It views Ethereum as a public project belonging to all builders, with Ethlabs as one node in a broader governance network. Ultimately, Ethlabs represents an organizational evolution within the maturing Ethereum ecosystem. The key question is whether multiple research bodies can collaborate effectively to advance Ethereum as a competitive global settlement infrastructure.

Odaily星球日报06/23 09:16

The Ethereum Foundation Has Split?! An In-depth Look at Ethlabs' "Bright Future"

Odaily星球日报06/23 09:16

Ethlabs Founded, Treasury Companies to Fund Ethereum Post-EF

Former Ethereum Foundation (EF) core researchers Ansgar Dietrichs, Barnabé Monnot, Caspar Schwarz-Schilling, Josh Rudolf, and Julian Ma announced the launch of Ethlabs, an independent non-profit R&D lab focused on Ethereum core protocol research and institutional-grade infrastructure. The initiative, backed by over 50 community participants including ETH treasury companies BitMine and Sharplink, Joseph Lubin, Hayden Adams, and Jesse Pollak, aims to make Ethereum the global economic settlement layer. This move comes amidst significant pressure on the EF, which has seen key departures and a strategic narrowing of its focus. A critical funding gap of approximately $30 million annually for core client development, following the expiration of the client incentive program, poses a near-term risk to the network's development. The context includes the evolution of ETH's value narrative. While mechanisms like EIP-1559 and the Merge previously supported the "ultrasound money" thesis, the success of L2 scaling via EIP-4844 has drastically reduced L1 fee revenue, leading to net ETH issuance and challenging that narrative. Ethlabs has listed ETH monetary economics as a primary research focus. Backing from corporate ETH treasuries like BitMine and Sharplink represents a strategic alignment, as these entities' asset values are directly tied to Ethereum's health and adoption. Their support is an investment rather than a pure donation. Ethereum's governance is shifting from a centralized EF model to a distributed network of specialized "manager nodes," including Ethlabs and a streamlined EF. While this promotes efficiency and reduces single-point failure risk, it introduces new challenges in coordination, priority alignment, and filling critical funding gaps across the decentralized ecosystem.

Foresight News06/23 06:50

Ethlabs Founded, Treasury Companies to Fund Ethereum Post-EF

Foresight News06/23 06:50

Another $75 Million Raised: Why Are Top VCs Betting on FOMO Again?

FOMO, a social crypto trading app, raises $75M in Series B led by Index Ventures, with participation from USV and follow-on from Benchmark. The round values the company at $550M. Launched in beta in mid-2025, FOMO simplifies on-chain trading by eliminating gas fees for users, supporting multiple blockchains (Bitcoin, Ethereum, Solana, Base, BNB Chain), and enabling direct crypto purchases via Apple Pay or debit cards. The app features social functions allowing users to follow traders and view their activity. Key metrics show rapid growth: over 625,000 users, $4B+ in cumulative trading volume, and more than 110M social interactions. Notably, over 68,000 users made their first crypto purchase through FOMO using Apple Pay. The platform recently expanded into perpetual contracts trading for stocks, pre-IPO assets, crypto, indices, and commodities. The founding team, with backgrounds from dYdX, Uniswap, and OpenSea, initially raised a $2M pre-seed round from 140+ angel investors across the crypto ecosystem before securing a $17M Series A from Benchmark in late 2025. FOMO's strategy focuses on removing technical friction to drive mainstream adoption, positioning itself as a potential gateway between crypto and traditional finance.

Foresight News06/23 02:07

Another $75 Million Raised: Why Are Top VCs Betting on FOMO Again?

Foresight News06/23 02:07

GLM Hits a Trillion, Will DeepSeek Be Far Behind?

Zhipu AI, a Chinese AI company, has reached a market capitalization exceeding HK$1 trillion, with its stock rising over 1900% this year. Its valuation now rivals half of Alibaba's, highlighting intense market speculation around Chinese AI firms. Despite 2025 revenues of only ¥7.24 billion and a net loss of ¥47.18 billion, investors are pricing in massive future growth, driven by its GLM-5.2 model and its positioning as China's potential answer to Anthropic. The surge reflects a broader trend: soaring valuations for AI companies across primary and secondary markets. DeepSeek's latest funding round valued it over $50 billion, while other players like MiniMax and StepFun are also targeting listings. This capital influx is concentrated in hard tech and AI within Hong Kong's IPO market. However, concerns about a bubble are mounting. Zhipu's high valuation, volatile trading, and impending share lock-up expiries pose near-term risks. The core challenge for Zhipu and its peers is transforming advanced model capabilities into sustainable revenue and profit, following the path of Anthropic which is nearing operational profitability. The trillion-HK dollar mark for Zhipu represents a symbolic peak for China's AI industry, but its permanence hinges on demonstrable commercial success.

marsbit06/22 23:23

GLM Hits a Trillion, Will DeepSeek Be Far Behind?

marsbit06/22 23:23

Annualized Revenue Exceeds $20 Billion, Kalshi Aims to Become the First Prediction Platform IPO?

Kalshi, a leading U.S. prediction markets platform, is reportedly in early, informal discussions for an Initial Public Offering (IPO). The company's annualized revenue now exceeds $2 billion, fueled by its dominance of over 90% of the domestic prediction market activity. This growth stems from a surge in trading volume—reaching a total of $52.7 billion—and an increase in fee rates, largely driven by sports event contracts like the NBA playoffs and the 2026 FIFA World Cup. Monthly active users are approximately 2 million. Kalshi recently raised $1 billion in a funding round led by Coatue Management, valuing the company at $22 billion. It has also expanded its offerings to include Bitcoin perpetual contracts and plans to launch a dedicated trading platform, Kalshi Pro. However, Kalshi's path to an IPO faces significant regulatory hurdles. The core risk involves jurisdictional conflicts, as multiple U.S. states are challenging its operations under local gambling laws. For instance, Arizona has filed criminal charges against the platform, while states like Kentucky have filed lawsuits. Kalshi and the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (CFTC) argue that its event contracts fall under exclusive federal jurisdiction as "swaps." The outcomes of these ongoing legal battles could critically impact Kalshi's core revenue and its IPO timeline. Analysts suggest that while an IPO could theoretically occur by late 2026, a more likely timeframe is late 2027 or 2028, contingent on resolving legal issues and favorable market conditions. If successful, its fundraising could significantly exceed $1 billion, given its current valuation and revenue multiple.

Foresight News06/22 03:45

Annualized Revenue Exceeds $20 Billion, Kalshi Aims to Become the First Prediction Platform IPO?

Foresight News06/22 03:45

He Just Raised 2.7 Billion, and Li Fei-Fei Also Invested

Pete Florence, a former senior research scientist at Google DeepMind and a key contributor to the Vision-Language-Action (VLA) model architecture, is deliberately distancing his startup, Generalist AI, from the trendy "world model" label. He argues that the industry should prioritize concrete goals over buzzwords. His goal is to create robots that can perform a vast range of unseen tasks with high speed and success rates, without needing task-specific training data. Recently, his company raised $400 million (¥2.7 billion) at a $2 billion valuation. Notable investors include NVIDIA's NVentures, Bezos Expeditions, NFDG, as well as Xiaomi co-founder Lin Bin, Zoom founder Eric Yuan, and renowned AI scientist Fei-Fei Li. Florence's approach stems from his academic background at MIT under Professor Russ Tedrake, focusing on understanding the physical world. After joining DeepMind, he developed models like Transporter Network and co-created the VLA framework. He left in 2025 to found Generalist AI. The company has launched two models: GEN-0, which demonstrated that scaling laws apply to physical motion, and GEN-1. GEN-1 was trained on over 500,000 hours of physical interaction data collected via a specialized wearable device. It achieves a 99% success rate on precise mechanical tasks like folding boxes and maintains performance three times faster than its predecessor. Florence believes GEN-1 is reaching a commercial utility threshold similar to the GPT-3 inflection point. The substantial funding round, following GEN-1's release, signifies strong investor confidence in Generalist AI's practical, goal-driven path to creating versatile, useful robots, regardless of the "world model" terminology.

marsbit06/20 06:06

He Just Raised 2.7 Billion, and Li Fei-Fei Also Invested